Kirklees Council is taking back control of council housing from next week.

Since 2002 the council’s housing stock has been run by an arm’s length management company, Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH). Responsibility will revert back to the council from April 1.

The move, decided by Cabinet last October, follows a major engagement exercise with tenants over last summer.

Over the past year, the council and KNH have been looking at options for the future management of council housing that can deliver the best possible service for people, homes and communities across Kirklees. A council scrutiny panel also took a detailed look at all the potential options. 

The new council service will be called Homes and Neighbourhoods.  

Tenants have been assured the transfer won’t affect rent, tenancy or lease and no action needs to be taken in response to the change. 

Cabinet Member for Housing and Democracy, Clr Cathy Scott, said: “This is the right decision and an exciting moment for the future of housing in Kirklees.

“Bringing Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing and the council together means we can achieve more for tenants and communities. 

“A new model means we can work together more effectively to achieve the things that really matter to people and we will be accountable, as a single organisation, for delivering them. 

“High quality homes are essential for people to thrive so it’s right that we have listened to independent experts, councillors and – most importantly – tenants themselves before we came to this conclusion.”

From April 1, KNH staff will formally join teams within the council. Contact details and phone numbers for tenants remain the same. See www.knh.org.uk or www.kirklees.gov.uk/homes or ring 01484 414886.